Employee Profile
Eric Keefer
Senior Law Enforcement Ranger
Bishop Field Office
Eric Keefer has a great sense of community. It's one of the things that keep him grounded and energetic. But, it was a trip to Northern Tanzania, East Africa for three weeks in the summer of 2008 that taught him what community was really about.
Ever since he was a kid in Palos Verdes, California, Eric was fascinated by stories, music and images of the African continent. In recent years, he heard stories from fellow church members serving with a non-profit organization at an orphanage and medical clinic near Moshi, Tanzania, about an ocean of needs and their ability to make a difference. Before long, Eric was on a plane heading to East Africa.
There are 30,000 orphans around Kilimanjaro, according to Eric. He says the HIV/AIDS pandemic in that region is far reaching. Access to medical care is unrealistic for many families, let alone the many children that are victims of the disease. He goes on to say that despite the hardships, the people still laugh, love, tell stories and have a strong sense of community. To Eric, the experience was life changing. A year later, he is still processing the experience and the beauty of that amazing country. He says he can't wait to go back.
Eric first started in law enforcement as a military policemen in the U.S. Army from June 1989 to June 1993. He served in Honduras and the Presidio of San Francisco. He went to college after his Army service, focusing on criminal justice and natural science. He graduated from Northern Arizona University in 1996.
After college Eric bounced back and forth between the National Park Service and BLM. He got his first ranger position at the Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site in northeastern Arizona. He then worked at the Hollister Field Office from 2001 to 2003, then became a law enforcement ranger at the Grand Canyon from 2003 to 2008. He returned to BLM in 2008.
Eric's outside interest are playing music, running with his dog, education, travel and community.
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